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Maiden Lane LLC
(A Special Purpose Vehicle Consolidated by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the
Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014,
and Independent Auditors’ Report

Maiden Lane LLC
Table of Contents

Page
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

1

Independent Auditors’ Report

2

Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

3

Consolidated Statements of Income

4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6-22

KPMG LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154-0102

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Managing Member of
Maiden Lane LLC:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Maiden Lane LLC (a
Special Purpose Vehicle consolidated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) (the “LLC”) as of
December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the year then
ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the LLC’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements of the LLC as of December 31, 2014 and for the year then
ended were audited by other auditors whose report thereon dated March 11, 2015, expressed an unmodified
opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United
States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of the LLC as of December 31, 2015 and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the year then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

New York, New York
March 8, 2016

KPMG LLP is a Delaware limited liability partnership,
the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative
(“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.

Maiden Lane LLC
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Amounts in thousands, except par value and share data)

2015
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Investments, at fair value (cost of $1,567,258 and $1,477,869, respectively,
and includes assets pledged of $52,401 and $86,877, respectively)
Swap contracts, at fair value
Principal and interest receivable
Total assets
Liabilities and member’s equity
Senior Loan, at fair value
Swap contracts, at fair value
Cash collateral on swap contracts
Other liabilities and accrued expenses
Total liabilities

$

212,843

$

1,509,030
55,873
36
1,777,782

$

Member’s equity ($10 par value, 1 share issued and outstanding)

Total liabilities and member’s equity

2014

1,720,633
20,538
36,209
402
1,777,782

$

276,842

$

1,410,519
123,836
75
1,811,272

$

-

$

1,777,782

-

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

1,684,513
40,647
85,093
1,019
1,811,272

1,811,272

Maiden Lane LLC
Consolidated Statements of Income
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Amounts in thousands)

2015
Revenues
Interest income
Realized gains on investments and swap contracts, net
Unrealized gains on investments and swap contracts, net
Other income
Total revenues

$

Expenses
Professional fees and other expenses
Net operating income
Non-operating losses
Unrealized losses on the Senior Loan
Total non-operating losses
Net income

$

2014

4,386
31,855
2,616
38,857

$

2,737

3,548

36,120

109,463

(36,120)
(36,120)

(109,463)
(109,463)

-

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

75,604
738
35,419
1,250
113,011

-

Maiden Lane LLC
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Amounts in thousands)

2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income

$

2014
-

$

-

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Accretion and amortization of discounts and premiums on investments
Realized gains on investments and swap contracts, net
Unrealized gains on investments and swap contracts, net
Unrealized losses on the Senior Loan
Decrease in principal and interest receivable
Decrease in other assets
Decrease in other liabilities and accrued expenses
Net cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Payments for purchase of investments
Proceeds from principal paydowns on investments
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments and settlements, net
Payments for purchase of and recoveries on swap contracts, net
Proceeds from disposition of and protection payments on swap contracts, net
Periodic payments for swap contracts, net
Decrease in restricted cash
Net cash flow used in investing activities

(4,099)
(31,855)
(2,616)
36,120
39
(617)
(3,028)

(3,756)
(738)
(35,419)
109,463
272
83
(640)
69,265

(1,809,229)
22,191
1,713,535
(2,243)
76,859
(13,200)
(12,087)

(1,406,054)
518,247
542,363
(3,766)
36,585
(9,739)
40,206
(282,158)

Cash flows from financing activities
(Repayments of) proceeds from collateral received on swap contracts
Net cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities

(48,884)
(48,884)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Beginning cash and cash equivalents
Ending cash and cash equivalents

(63,999)
276,842
212,843

$

2,801
2,801

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

(210,092)
486,934
276,842

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
1.

Organization and Nature of Business
Maiden Lane LLC (the “LLC”), a special purpose vehicle consolidated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York (“FRBNY” or “Managing Member”), is a single member Delaware limited liability company that was
formed to acquire approximately $30 billion of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.’s (“Bear Stearns”) assets
in connection with and to facilitate the merger of Bear Stearns and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (“JPMC”).
FRBNY is the sole and managing member of the LLC as well as the controlling party of the assets of the
LLC, and will remain as such as long as FRBNY retains an economic interest in the LLC. Financing for the
LLC was provided by FRBNY for approximately $28.8 billion, as the senior lender (the “Senior Loan”),
and by JPMC for $1.15 billion, as the subordinated lender (the “Subordinated Loan”) (together the
“Loans”). The Loans were funded on June 26, 2008 and had a ten-year term maturing on June 26, 2018. In
2012, the LLC repaid in full the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Loans. Net proceeds from
the sale or other disposition of the LLC’s assets will be paid to FRBNY as Contingent Interest (see Note 4)
on the Senior Loan. The Senior Loan is collateralized by all the assets of the LLC through a pledge to State
Street Bank and Trust (“State Street”) as collateral agent.
Bear Stearns’ assets purchased by the LLC largely consisted of mortgage-related debt securities, whole
mortgage loans (held by two grantor trusts as discussed below), and credit default and interest rate swap
contracts, primarily through a total return swap agreement with JPMC (the “TRS”). Bear Stearns’ assets
were acquired and transferred to the LLC on June 26, 2008 with a purchase and effective valuation date of
March 14, 2008.
Two grantor trusts were established to directly acquire the whole mortgage loans. One was formed to acquire a
portfolio of commercial mortgage loans and one was formed to acquire a portfolio of residential mortgage
loans (Maiden Lane Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Trust 2008-1 [“CRE Trust”] and Maiden
Lane Asset Backed Securities I Trust 2008-1 [“Residential Trust”], together the “Grantor Trusts”). The
Residential Trust terminated in December 2013, in accordance with its terms, as a result of the liquidation
of its last asset.
The LLC owns the trust certificates representing all of the beneficial ownership interest in the CRE Trust. The
CRE Trust is controlled by FRBNY as long as the LLC remains a certificate holder. The LLC is the sole
certificate holder as of December 31, 2015. The trustee and master servicer for the CRE Trust are
nationally recognized financial institutions. The master servicer to the CRE Trust is responsible for
remitting to the CRE Trust all principal and interest payments and any other amounts collected by the
primary loan servicers on the underlying loans of the trust. Payments received by the CRE Trust are passed
on to the LLC as the sole beneficiary after deducting certain trust expenses, advances, servicing costs, and
fees. Prior to its termination, the Residential Trust was owned and operated in the same manner as
described above for the CRE Trust. Following termination, the LLC surrendered all of its certificates in the
Residential Trust and received one final distribution of the remaining amounts due to it as beneficiary.
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the “Investment Manager” or “BlackRock”) manages the investment
portfolio of the LLC under a multi-year contract with FRBNY that includes provisions governing
termination of the contract. State Street provides administrative, collateral administration, and custodial
services and has been appointed to serve as collateral agent under multi-year contracts with FRBNY that
include provisions governing termination of the contracts.
The LLC does not have any employees and therefore does not bear any employee-related costs.

6

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), which require the Managing Member to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of
income and expense during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the fair value of investments,
swap contracts, and the Senior Loan. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the LLC as well as the CRE Trust.
Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the LLC:
A. Cash and Cash Equivalents
The LLC defines cash and cash equivalents as cash, money market funds, and other short-term, highly liquid
investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired. Money market funds and other shortterm investments are carried at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. All
cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board
(“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 (“ASC 820”), Fair Value Measurement.
Refer to Note 5 for more information.
The LLC invests available cash in Government Money Market Funds registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the LLC had approximately $213 million and $274
million, respectively, in Government Money Market Funds.
B. Investments and Swap Contracts
The LLC’s investments consist primarily of short-term investments with maturities of greater than three months
and less than one year when acquired (primarily consisting of U.S. Treasury bills). The LLC’s swap
contracts consist of credit default swaps (“CDS”). The LLC follows the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 320,
Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, when accounting for investments in debt securities and FASB
ASC Topic 815 (“ASC 815”), Derivatives and Hedging, when accounting for swap contracts.
Interest income on investments is recorded when earned and includes amortization of premiums and accretion
of discounts. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed investments are recorded as
adjustments to interest income.
Investment and swap transactions are accounted for at trade date. Changes in fair value on investments and
swap contracts are recorded as unrealized gains and losses. Realized gains or losses on investments and
swap transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.
From time to time, the LLC may receive proceeds from or make payments for settlements related to actions
involving portfolio investments. When such settlements occur, the LLC will record the amount as an
adjustment to the cost basis of the investment if the investment is still held by the LLC or as a realized gain
or loss on the investment if the investment is no longer held by the LLC.

7

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
C. Valuation of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The LLC has elected the fair value option in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, for
investments and the Senior Loan (including accrued and capitalized interest), all of which are recorded at
fair value in accordance with ASC 820. The Managing Member believes that accounting for the
investments and Senior Loan at fair value appropriately reflects the LLC’s purpose and intent with respect
to its financial assets and liabilities and most closely reflects the LLC’s obligations. For more information
on the valuation of investments and the Senior Loan, refer to Note 5 and Note 6.
Swap contracts are recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 820 and ASC 815. For more information on
the valuation of swap contracts, refer to Note 5 and Note 6.
Fair Value Hierarchy
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three-level
fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions developed using market data obtained from
independent sources (observable inputs) and the LLC’s assumptions developed using the best information
available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The three levels established by ASC 820 are
described as follows:
•

Level 1 – Valuation is based on quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

•

Level 2 – Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for
identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for
which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

•

Level 3 – Valuation is based on model-based techniques that use significant inputs and assumptions not
observable in the market. These unobservable inputs and assumptions reflect the LLC’s own estimates of
inputs and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets and liabilities. Valuation
techniques include the use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated
with investing in those securities.
D. Accounting for Senior Loan
The consolidated financial statements reflect the fair value of the Senior Loan. The Senior Loan is recorded as
“Senior Loan, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and changes in its fair
value are recorded as “Unrealized losses on the Senior Loan” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
E. Variable Interest Entities
The identification of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and determination whether to consolidate VIEs were
assessed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 810 (“ASC 810”), Consolidation, which requires a VIE to
be consolidated by its controlling financial interest holder.

8

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The LLC consolidates a VIE if it has a controlling financial interest, which is defined as the power to direct the
significant economic activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive
benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. To determine whether it is the
controlling financial interest holder of a VIE, the LLC evaluates the VIE’s design, capital structure, and
relationships with the variable interest holders. The LLC reconsiders whether it has a controlling financial
interest in a VIE, as required by ASC 810, at each reporting date or if there is an event that requires
consideration.
The LLC holds certain interests in VIEs through investments in swap contracts, non-agency residential
mortgage-backed securities (“non-agency RMBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”),
and collateralized debt obligations. VIEs generally finance the purchase of assets by issuing debt and equity
instruments. In assessing the nature and extent of its financial interests in these VIEs, the LLC considered
the nature and purpose of its involvement with these VIEs, which is primarily as investor, and in limited
instances, as seller of protection through credit default swaps. The LLC has made a determination that there
are no material VIEs that required consolidation into its consolidated financial statements as of December
31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015, the LLC’s significant interests in non-consolidated VIEs
consisted of a payable of approximately $10 million, which was recorded as a component of “Swap
contracts, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The fair value and total
maximum exposure to non-consolidated VIEs was $10 million as of December 31, 2015 and $15 million as
of December 31, 2014.
F. Professional Fees and Other Expenses
Professional fees and other expenses are primarily comprised of the fees charged by the Investment Manager,
administrator, and independent auditors as well as the fees and expenses of the CRE Trust.
G. Income Taxes
The LLC is a single member limited liability company and was structured as a disregarded entity for U.S.
federal, state, and local income tax purposes. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is made in the
consolidated financial statements.
H. Foreign Currency Translation
Swap collateral received denominated in a foreign currency is translated into U.S. dollar amounts using the
prevailing exchange rate as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. There is no gain or loss
associated with this foreign denominated collateral as the asset and liability positions associated with it are
offsetting.
I.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic
810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This update revised the consolidation model for reporting
entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. More
specifically, the update modified the evaluation of whether limited liability companies are VIEs or voting
interest entities and revised the consolidation analysis of reporting entities involved with VIEs, particularly
those with fee arrangements and related party relationships. This update is effective for the LLC for the
year ending December 31, 2016 and is not expected to have a material effect on the LLC’s consolidated
financial statements.

9

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this
update eliminate the requirement to disclose methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair
value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. This update is effective for
the LLC for the year ending December 31, 2019. The LLC is continuing to evaluate the effect of this new
guidance on the LLC’s consolidated financial statements.

3.

Senior Loan (including Contingent Interest)
The Senior Loan is entitled to receive additional Contingent Interest (see Note 4) in amounts equal to any
proceeds from the sale of the LLC’s assets that are available for distribution pursuant to the order of
priority described in Note 4.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the Senior Loan as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in
thousands):

Senior Loan
Fair value, December 31, 2013

$

2014 Activity:
Unrealized losses on the Senior Loan
Fair value, December 31, 2014 1
2015 Activity:
Unrealized losses on the Senior Loan
Fair value, December 31, 2015 1
1

4.

1,575,050

109,463
1,684,513

$

36,120
1,720,633

The outstanding principal and accrued interest balance on the Senior Loan
was $0 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The remaining fair value
represents the undistributed Contingent Interest on the Senior Loan.

Distribution of Proceeds
In accordance with the Security Agreement, amounts available in the accounts of the LLC are distributed
monthly in the following order of priority:
first, to pay any costs, fees, and expenses of the LLC then due and payable;
second, to pay any amounts owed to derivative counterparties under the related derivative contracts;
third, to repay the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan;

10

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
fourth, so long as the entire outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan has been repaid in full, to pay
unpaid interest outstanding on the Senior Loan;
fifth, so long as the entire outstanding principal amount of and all accrued and unpaid interest outstanding on the
Senior Loan have been paid in full, to repay the outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated Loan;
sixth, so long as (i) the entire outstanding principal amount of and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Senior
Loan have been paid in full and (ii) the entire outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated Loan has
been repaid in full, to pay unpaid interest outstanding on the Subordinated Loan;
seventh, so long as the entire outstanding principal amount of and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans
have been paid in full, and after termination and payment of any amounts owed to the counterparties under
the related derivative contracts, to pay all available proceeds to FRBNY as holder of the Senior Loan (the
“Contingent Interest”).

5.

Fair Value Measurements
The LLC measures all investments, swap contracts, and the Senior Loan at fair value in accordance with
ASC 820.
Determination of Fair Value
The LLC values its investments and cash equivalents on the basis of last available bid prices or current market
quotations provided by dealers or pricing services selected under the supervision of the Investment
Manager. To determine the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information
with respect to market transactions in such investments or comparable investments, various relationships
observed in the market between investments, quotations from dealers, and pricing metrics and calculated
yield measures based on valuation methodologies commonly employed in the market for such investments.
The fair value of swap contracts is provided by JPMC as calculation agent and is reviewed by the
Investment Manager.
Market quotations may not represent fair value in certain instances in which the Investment Manager and the
LLC believe that facts and circumstances applicable to an issuer, a seller, a purchaser, or the market for a
particular investment cause such market quotations to not reflect the fair value of an investment. In such
cases or when market quotations are unavailable, the Investment Manager applies proprietary valuation
models that use collateral performance scenarios and pricing metrics derived from the reported
performance of investments with similar characteristics as well as available market data to determine fair
value.
Due to the uncertainty inherent in determining the fair value of investments, derivatives, and debt instruments
that do not have a readily available fair value, the fair values of the LLC’s investments, swap contracts, and
the Senior Loan may differ from the values that may ultimately be realized and paid.

11

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
Valuation Methodologies for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
In certain cases in which there is limited trading activity for particular investments or current market quotations
are not available or reflective of the fair value of an instrument, the valuation is based on models that use
inputs, estimates, and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investments. To the
extent that such inputs, estimates, and assumptions are not observable, the investments are classified within
Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. For instance, in valuing certain debt securities, the determination of fair
value is based on proprietary valuation models when external price information is not available. Key inputs
to the model may include market spreads or yield estimates for comparable instruments, performance data
(i.e. prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severity), valuation estimates for underlying property
collateral, projected cash flows, and other relevant contractual features.
For the swap contracts, all of which are categorized as Level 3 assets and liabilities, there are various valuation
methodologies. In each case, the fair value of the instrument underlying the swap is a significant input used
to derive the fair value of the swap. When there are broker or dealer prices available for the underlying
instruments, the fair value of the swap is derived based on those prices. When the instrument underlying the
swap is a market index (i.e. CMBS index), the closing market index price, which can also be expressed as a
credit spread, is used to determine the fair value of the swap. In the remaining cases, the fair value of the
underlying instrument is principally based on inputs and assumptions not observable in the market (i.e.
discount rates, prepayment rates, default rates, and recovery rates). Key unobservable inputs are explained
in more detail in the table below.
The fair value of the Senior Loan is determined based on the fair value of the underlying assets held by the LLC
and the allocation of the LLC’s net operating income or loss, as presented in the reconciliation of the Senior
Loan in Note 3.
Inputs for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
The following table presents the valuation techniques and ranges of significant unobservable inputs generally
used to determine the fair values of the LLC’s Level 3 assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2015 (in
thousands, except for input values):

Instrument

Fair value

Principal
valuation technique

Swap contracts, net

$ 71,131

Discounted cash flows

Unobservable inputs
Credit spreads 1
Discount rate
Constant prepayment rate
Constant default rate
Loss severity

1

Implied spread on closing market prices for index positions.

2

Weighted averages are calculated based on the fair value of the respective instruments.

12

Range of
input values
3,262 bps
2%
2%
0%
32%

- 109,643 bps
25%
13%
100%
80%

Weighted
average 2
40,037 bps
15%
5%
36%
48%

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table presents the valuation techniques and ranges of significant unobservable inputs generally
used to determine the fair values of the LLC’s Level 3 assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 (in
thousands, except for input values):

Instrument

Fair value

Principal
valuation technique

Swap contracts, net

$ 125,605

Discounted cash flows

Range of
input values

Unobservable inputs
Credit spreads 1
Discount rate
Constant prepayment rate
Constant default rate
Loss severity

1

Implied spread on closing market prices for index positions.

2

Weighted averages are calculated based on the fair value of the respective instruments.

2,893 bps
5%
0%
0%
40%

- 12,683 bps
25%
8%
99%
95%

Weighted
average 2
9,023 bps
17%
1%
6%
52%

The fair value of the Senior Loan is based upon the fair value of the net assets held by the LLC and, as such, its
significant unobservable inputs generally include those same inputs used to value the Level 3 instruments
listed above.
Sensitivity of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements to Changes in Unobservable Inputs
The following provides a general description of the impact of a change in an unobservable input on the fair
value measurement and the interrelationship of unobservable inputs:
I.

Swap contracts

For CDS with reference obligations on CMBS, an increase in credit spreads would generally result in a
higher fair value measurement for protection buyers and a lower fair value measurement for protection
sellers. The inverse would also generally apply to this relationship given a decrease in credit spreads.
For CDS with reference obligations on residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) or other assetbacked securities, changes in the discount rate, constant prepayment rate, constant default rate, and loss
severity would have an uncertain effect on the overall fair value measurement. This is because, in
general, changes in these inputs could potentially have a different impact on the fair value
measurement of an individual CDS based on the structure, payment status, and other relevant
contractual details of its underlying reference obligation. Additionally, changes in the fair value
measurement based on variations in the inputs used generally cannot be extrapolated because the
relationship between each input is not perfectly correlated.
II. Senior Loan
In general, any movement in the unobservable inputs described above that results in an increase to the fair
value measurement of the net assets held by the LLC would also result in an increase in the fair value
measurement of the Senior Loan. The inverse would also generally apply to this relationship.

13

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table presents the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2015 by the
ASC 820 hierarchy (in thousands):

ASC 820 hierarchy
Level 1
Assets:
Money market funds 1
Investments:
Short-term investments
Other investments
Total investments
Swap contracts
Total assets
Liabilities:
Senior Loan
Swap contracts
Total liabilities
1
2
3

$

2

Level 2 2
$

-

1,495,872
1,495,872
$ 1,708,715

$

12,565
12,565
12,565

$

$

$

212,843

-

-

$

Netting 3

Level 3
$

-

$

593
593
130,491
131,084

$ (1,720,633)
(59,360)
$ (1,779,993)

Total fair value

$

-

$

(74,618)
(74,618)

1,495,872
13,158
1,509,030
55,873
$ 1,777,746

38,822
38,822

$ (1,720,633)
(20,538)
$ (1,741,171)

$
$

$

212,843

Recorded as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2015.
The LLC has elected to net derivative receivables and payables and the related cash collateral received and paid when a legally enforceable master
netting agreement exists.

14

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table presents the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2014 by the
ASC 820 hierarchy (in thousands):

ASC 820 hierarchy
Level 1
Assets:
Money market funds 1
Investments:
Short-term investments
Other investments
Total investments
Swap contracts
Total assets
Liabilities:
Senior Loan
Swap contracts
Total liabilities
1
2
3

$

2

Level 2 2
$

-

1,399,431
1,399,431
$ 1,673,795

$

6,479
6,479
6,479

$

$

$

274,364

-

-

$

Netting 3

Level 3
$

-

$

4,609
4,609
240,295
244,904

$ (1,684,513)
(114,690)
$ (1,799,203)

Total fair value

$

-

$

(116,459)
(116,459)

1,399,431
11,088
1,410,519
123,836
$ 1,808,719

74,043
74,043

$ (1,684,513)
(40,647)
$ (1,725,160)

$
$

$

274,364

Recorded as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2014.
The LLC has elected to net derivative receivables and payables and the related cash collateral received and paid when a legally enforceable master
netting agreement exists.

15

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table presents a reconciliation of all assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2015, including net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) (in thousands):

transfers out 1,2

Fair value at
December 31, 2015

Change in
unrealized gains
(losses) related to
financial
instruments held at
December 31, 2015

-

$

(3,207)

$

593

$

(1,507)

$

-

$

-

$

71,131

$

15,927

$

-

$

-

$

(1,720,633)

$

(36,120)

Net realized /
unrealized
gains (losses)

Fair value at
December 31, 2014

Purchases, sales,
issuances, and
settlements, net

Investments:
Other investments

$

4,609

$

(1,349)

$

540

$

Swap contracts, net

$

125,605

$

(68,036)

$

13,562

Senior Loan

$

(1,684,513)

$

-

$

(36,120)

Gross

Gross
transfers in

1

Other investments, with a December 31, 2014 fair value of $3,207, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 because they are valued at December 31, 2015 based on quoted prices for identical
or similar assets in non-active markets or model-based techniques for which all significant inputs were observable (Level 2). These investments were valued in the prior year based on nonobservable inputs (Level 3).
2
The amount of transfers is based on the fair values of the transferred assets at the beginning of the reporting period.

The following table presents the gross components of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net, shown
above for the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Purchases

Sales

Issuances

Settlements 1

Purchases, sales,
issuances, and
settlements, net

Investments:
Other investments

$

-

$

(2,816)

$

-

$

1,467

$

(1,349)

Swap contracts, net

$

-

$

(32,307)

$

-

$

(35,729)

$

(68,036)

Senior Loan

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

-

1

Includes paydowns.

16

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table presents a reconciliation of all assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2014, including net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) (in thousands):

Investments:
Commercial mortgage loans
Other investments
Total investments

Fair value at
December 31, 2013

Purchases, sales,
issuances, and
settlements, net

$

$

$

506,589
8,095
514,684

$

(522,854)
4,037
(518,817)

Swap contracts, net

$

151,696

$

Senior Loan

$

(1,575,050)

$

Net realized /
unrealized
gains (losses)
$
$

(47,666)

$

-

$

$

Fair value at
December 31, 2014

$

$

$

Gross

Gross
transfers in

16,265
(4,072)
12,193

transfers out 1,2

Change in
unrealized gains
(losses) related to
financial
instruments held at
December 31, 2014

$

-

$

(3,451)
(3,451)

21,575

$

(109,463)

$

$

4,609
4,609

$

(4,032)
(4,032)

-

$

-

$

125,605

$

13,380

-

$

-

$

(1,684,513)

$

(109,463)

1

Other investments, with a December 31, 2013 fair value of $3,451, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 because they are valued at December 31, 2014 based on quoted prices for identical
or similar assets in non-active markets or model-based techniques for which all significant inputs were observable (Level 2). These investments were valued in the prior year based on nonobservable inputs (Level 3).
2
The amount of transfers is based on the fair values of the transferred assets at the beginning of the reporting period.

The following table presents the gross components of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net, shown
above for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

Purchases
Investments:
Commercial mortgage loans
Other investments
Total investments

$

1,375
1,375

Swap contracts, net

$

Senior Loan

$

1

$

Sales
$

Issuances

$

-

-

$

-

$

$

-

(24,080)

$

-

$

Includes paydowns.

17

$

Settlements 1

Purchases, sales,
issuances, and
settlements, net

$

$

$

(522,854)
2,662
(520,192)

$

(522,854)
4,037
(518,817)

-

$

(23,586)

$

(47,666)

-

$

-

$

-

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table presents total realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with the LLC’s assets and
liabilities measured at fair value for the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Investments:
Short-term investments
Commercial mortgage loans 1
Other investments
Total investments

$

Total realized /
unrealized
gains (losses)

Fair value
changes unrealized
gains (losses)

Total realized
gains (losses)
20,414
(8,627)
11,787

$

(785)
9,907
9,122

$

(785)
20,414
1,280
20,909

Swap contracts, net
Total investments and swap contracts

$

20,068
31,855

$

(6,506)
2,616

$

13,562
34,471

Senior Loan

$

-

$

(36,120)

$

(36,120)

1

There are no gains (losses) on the commercial mortgage loans attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk.

The following table presents total realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with the LLC’s assets and
liabilities measured at fair value for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

Investments:
Short-term investments
Commercial mortgage loans 1
Other investments
Total investments

$

Total realized /
unrealized
gains (losses)

Fair value
changes unrealized
gains (losses)

Total realized
gains (losses)
4,862
1,514
6,376

$

(106)
11,403
(3,091)
8,206

$

(106)
16,265
(1,577)
14,582

Swap contracts, net
Total investments and swap contracts

$

(5,638)
738

$

27,213
35,419

$

21,575
36,157

Senior Loan

$

-

$

(109,463)

$

(109,463)

1

Substantially all unrealized gains (losses) on the commercial mortgage loans are attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit
risk.

18

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
6.

Investment and Risk Profile
As of December 31, 2015, the LLC’s portfolio consisted primarily of short-term investments and swap
contracts. The following is a description of the significant holdings at December 31, 2015 and the
associated credit risk for each holding:
A. Debt Securities
The LLC has investments in short-term instruments with maturities of greater than three months and less than
one year when acquired. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the LLC’s short-term instruments consisted
of U.S. Treasury bills.
Other investments primarily consist of non-agency RMBS and CMBS.
B. Derivative Instruments
Derivative contracts are instruments, such as swap contracts, that derive their value from underlying assets,
indices, reference rates, or a combination of these factors. The LLC portfolio is composed of derivative
financial instruments included in the TRS. The LLC and JPMC entered into the TRS with reference
obligations representing CDS primarily on CMBS and RMBS with various market participants, including
JPMC.
On an ongoing basis, per the terms of the TRS, the LLC pledges collateral for credit or liquidity related
shortfalls based on 20 percent of the notional amount of sold CDS protection and 10 percent of the present
value of future premiums on purchased CDS protection. Separately, the LLC and JPMC engage in bilateral
posting of collateral to cover the net mark-to-market (“MTM”) variations in the swap portfolio. The LLC
only nets the collateral received from JPMC from the bilateral MTM posting for the reference obligations
for which JPMC is the counterparty.
The values of the LLC’s cash and cash equivalents include cash collateral associated with the TRS of
$72 million and $128 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, the LLC has
pledged $52 million and $87 million of U.S. Treasury bills to JPMC as of December 31, 2015 and 2014,
respectively.
The following risks are associated with the derivative instruments within the LLC as part of the TRS agreement
with JPMC:
I.

Market Risk

CDS are agreements that provide protection for the buyer against the loss of principal, and in some cases,
interest on a bond or loan in case of a default by the issuer. The nature of a credit event is established
by the protection buyer and protection seller at the inception of a transaction, and such events include
bankruptcy, insolvency, or failure to meet payment obligations when due. The buyer of the CDS pays a
premium in return for payment protection upon the occurrence, if any, of a credit event. Upon the
occurrence of a triggering credit event, the maximum potential amount of future payments the seller
could be required to make under a CDS is equal to the notional amount of the contract. Such future
payments could be reduced or offset by amounts recovered under recourse or by collateral provisions
outlined in the contract, including seizure and liquidation of collateral pledged by the buyer.

19

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The LLC’s derivatives portfolio consists of purchased credit protection and sold credit protection with
differing underlying referenced names that do not necessarily offset.
II. Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss resulting from failure by a counterparty to meet its contractual
obligations to the LLC. This can be caused by factors directly related to the counterparty, such as
business or management. Taking collateral is the most common way to mitigate such risk. The LLC
takes financial collateral in the form of cash and marketable securities to cover JPMC counterparty risk
as part of the TRS agreement with JPMC. The LLC however remains exposed to the credit risk of
counterparties to the swaps, other than JPMC, that underlie the TRS.
The LLC has entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) master netting
agreement with JPMC in connection with the TRS. This agreement provides the LLC with the right to
liquidate securities held as collateral and to offset receivables and payables with JPMC in the event of
default. This agreement also establishes the method for determining the net amount of receivables and
payables that the LLC is entitled to receive from and required to pay to the counterparties to the swaps
that underlie the TRS based upon the fair value of the relevant CDS.
For the derivative balances reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, the LLC offsets
its asset and liability positions held with the same counterparty. In addition, the LLC offsets the cash
collateral held with JPMC against any net liabilities of JPMC with the LLC under the TRS. As of
December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no amounts subject to an enforceable master netting
agreement that were not offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
The following table summarizes the fair value and notional amounts of derivative instruments by contract
type on a gross basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except contract data):
2015

2014
Notional

Gross derivative Gross derivative
assets
liabilities

Amounts 3

Notional

Gross derivative Gross derivative
assets
liabilities

Amounts 3

Credit derivatives:
CDS 1,2
Amounts offset in the Consolidated
Statements of Financial Condition:
Counterparty netting
Cash collateral netting
Net amounts in the Consolidated
Statements of Financial Condition
1

2
3

$

130,491

$

(38,822)
(35,796)
$

55,873

(59,360)

$

356,981

$

38,822
$

(20,538)

240,295

$

(74,043)
(42,416)
$

123,836

(114,690)

$

631,983

74,043
$

(40,647)

CDS fair values as of December 31, 2015 for assets and liabilities include receivables of $600 and payables of $625. CDS fair values as of December 31, 2014
for assets and liabilities include receivables of $643 and payables of $4,202.
There were 128 and 210 CDS contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Represents the sum of gross long and gross short notional derivative contracts. The change in notional amounts is representative of the volume of activity for the
year ended December 31, 2015.

20

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table summarizes certain information regarding protection bought and protection sold
through CDS as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
Maximum potential recovery (payout) / notional
Years to maturity
Credit Ratings of the Reference Obligation
Credit protection bought:
Investment grade (AAA to BBB-)
Non-investment grade (BB+ or lower)
Total credit protection bought
Credit protection sold:
Investment grade (AAA to BBB-)
Non-investment grade (BB+ or lower)
Total credit protection sold

After 1 year
through 3 years

1 year or less
$
$

$
$

-

$

-

$

$

$

After 3 years
through 5 years

-

$

-

$

$

$

Fair value

After 5 years

-

$

-

$

$

$

195,320
195,320

Total
$

Asset / (liability)
$

$

195,320
195,320

- $
(161,661)
(161,661) $

(161,661)
(161,661)

$

$

$

129,862
129,862

(58,706)
(58,706)

The following table summarizes certain information regarding protection bought and protection sold
through CDS as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
Maximum potential recovery (payout) / notional
Years to maturity
Credit Ratings of the Reference Obligation
Credit protection bought:
Investment grade (AAA to BBB-)
Non-investment grade (BB+ or lower)
Total credit protection bought
Credit protection sold:
Investment grade (AAA to BBB-)
Non-investment grade (BB+ or lower)
Total credit protection sold

After 1 year
through 3 years

After 3 years
through 5 years

-

$

8,500
8,500

$

-

$

-

$

1 year or less
$
$

$
$

$

$

$

$

Fair value
Total

After 5 years

5,000
5,000

$

-

$

$

$

Asset / (liability)
$

$

26,819
386,252
413,071

(4,475) $
(214,437)
(218,912) $

(4,475)
(214,437)
(218,912)

$

21,819
377,752
399,571

$

$

$

407
239,162
239,569

(86)
(110,319)
(110,405)

III. Currency Risk
Currency risk is the risk of financial loss resulting from exposure to unanticipated changes in exchange
rates between two currencies. Previously, under the terms of the TRS, JPMC was allowed to post cash
collateral in the form of either U.S. dollar or Euro denominated currencies to cover the net MTM
variation in the swap portfolio. When JPMC posted collateral in Euro currency, this risk was mitigated
by daily variation margin updates that capture the movement in the value of the swap portfolio in
addition to any movement in exchange rates on the swap collateral. In November 2014, the terms of
the TRS were amended such that JPMC is no longer allowed to post cash collateral in Euro currency.

21

Maiden Lane LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
7.

Commitments and Contingencies
The LLC and the Grantor Trusts pay the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of its service providers
incurred in connection with its duties under the respective agreements and agree to indemnify their service
providers for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and related expenses, etc., which may arise out of the
respective agreements unless they result from certain types of actions by the service providers. The
indemnity, which is provided solely by the LLC or each of the Grantor Trusts, as applicable, survives
termination of the respective agreements. The LLC and Grantor Trusts have not had any significant prior
claims and have not had any losses pursuant to these contracts and expect the risk of loss to be remote.

8.

Subsequent Events
There were no subsequent events that require adjustments to or disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 2015. Subsequent events were evaluated through March 8, 2016, which is
the date that the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

22